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Carl & Hollie's Camino
  • Carl Perkins
  • Hollie Perkins
  • Carl Perkins
  • Hollie Perkins

Carl & Hollie's Camino

Burgos to Santiago, with a few days in Barcelona to start. Leer más
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  • Inicio del viaje
    20 de agosto de 2023
  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Made it to Barcelona

    20 de agosto de 2023, Nueva Zelanda ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    After leaving Wellington at 10:30am Sunday we finally made it to Barcelona, NZ time 12:30am Tuesday.
    Flight was great no issues, no lost bags this time, pretty easy all the way through.
    The room for the next 3 nights is in the old Gothic Quarter and it's super old and historic.
    Barcelona is 33 degrees today so after a quick shower it's downstairs for a plate of my favourite Padron Peppers and a beer.
    Then we'll head off and start exploring...    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Our hotel

    Barcelona day 1 +

    21 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    To finish off our first day we wandered the streets and sampled a few beers and tapas from bars as we passed. Still quite hot. We had all intentions to walk down to the beach but made it as far as the waterfront, and another tapas bar and gave into the heat. We came across an amazing busker singing opera outside the church.Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Barcelona day2

    22 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Started the day with a tuktuk tour for 2 hours all around the sights of Barcelona.
    Lunch then a tour of the Sagrada, which was amazing. We climbed the Passion tower with great views across the city.
    Another walk back through the city.
    Still hot today with it staying around 33 degrees.
    Heading off to Flamenco show and dinner at a Catalan restaurant.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Barcelona 2.5

    22 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Last night we went to the flamenco show which was amazing. The guitarist was so gifted as well as the dancers.
    Today is extreme with the heat 36 degrees that felt like 38.
    This morning we visited Park Guell in the hills above the city.
    We visited the markets and sampled some of the food.
    Rod and I visited the maritime museum and stopped for a cold drink "nudge nudge" on the way back to the hotel.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Barcelona Day 3

    23 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Last night in Barcelona.
    We shipped our "good clothes" to Santiago today and headed out into a slightly cooler afternoon for dinner.
    Stumble into an amazing small square with 4 restaurants, all with outdoor seating.
    Had the best octopus and sangria.
    Then off to tour a Guadi house with a concert on the rooftop.
    It was a great way to finish it Barcelona portion of the trip.
    Hollie has added some of her photos from the past couple of days.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Bloody hotOur accommodation just happens to be decked out for the rugby world cup1Black pudding a la Burgos. A local speciality. Really nice.Our first shell sighting1Our first stamp

    Burgos

    24 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Boarded the fast train to Burgos this morning, a 6 hour journey through some very hot and dry countryside.
    Caught a local bus from the station that dropped us off in the centre of town. We started walking in the direction of our hostel, and stopped to study the map. An elderly gent who spoke no English at all started asking us questions. We figured out he wanted to help and walked us straight to the front door of the hostel.
    We spent the afternoon wandering around Burgos and stopped for the dinner just outside the cathedral.
    Sitting outside still, 9pm, as it's still to hot to go to bed.
    First day of walking starts tomorrow and the heat is still going to be in the early 30's.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Saint Rodney, the Pilgrim fisherman
    First markerThese are a welcome sightOur first albergue

    Camino Day 1 - Raba de las Calzadas

    25 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Visited the Burgos cathedral before starting our walk this morning so we were late away but that was planned. The heat was not.
    We carried plenty of water but had to fill up at every available opportunity.
    We were all extremely excited to get on the trail.
    A great day walking, but it was a hard day.
    Relaxing in our albergue now with a beer and new friends.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Shared dinner at albergue Liberanos Domine
    Hontanas main street2Our albergue in Hontanas

    Camino Day 2 - Hontanas

    25 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We were invited into the local convent for Vespers. There was only 6 mins still living there and all above 80 year old t seems. They were so nice and gave us each a Pilgrim blessing and a medallion to keep us safe on our journey. All in Spanish, but still quite moving. A great end to our first day on the Camino.
    An early start this morning, up at 6am thanks to the church bells next door. Breakfast was served at 6:30 and we were on the road by 7:15am.
    A much cooler day today with cloud cover most of the day.
    The Meseta lived up to its reputation of vast open fields and not much shade. Stunning vistas in every direction you look.
    Couldn't find anywhere open to buy food so we pushed on till the end. Covered 20km today and everyone feels fine.
    Lunch in Hontanas, then checked into our albergue which also offers a shared meal. Very modern, very nice.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 3 - Itero de la Vega

    26 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Wonderful shared dinner last night with a huge salad, paella and fruit, plus the standard bottle of red.
    An earlier start today, as we set off in the dark. Through the remaining Meseta. Stunning day with a light breeze and sun (not to hot).
    We stopped in to visit the ruins of the Convent San Anton, which still operates as an albergue.
    2nd breakfast was Castojeriz, a really beautiful town with the old castle ruins on the hill and a huge church (of course) and a monastery.
    Our first big hill was next, but the pay off was the amazing views back over the city and farmland.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Best shared dinner yet

    Camino Day 4 - Villalcazar de Sirga

    27 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Finished off yesterday with an amazing group from all around the world. Many laughs, many stories, lots of red wine.
    The day started out just before sunrise, walking through huge open plains on fairly flat paths. Picture perfect views in all directions.
    As we got closer to our destination we followed a canal which was lovely.
    Then it turn around a bit as our planned accommodation was closed. On the advice of a local hotel person, the next town had an albergue open, which was run by the same group she was in.
    It was also closed, so on we walked.
    Finally made it to the next town and a bed, and a beer, after 28 km.
    We are not registering the plan as we have now made up an extra day. All good.
    Blisters are getting worse (won't post photos) but spirits are high.
    We are now 88km in after 4 days.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    The drinking garden
    Last chance albergueStill walking together, still talking to each other!!!The Roman road. Spot the cobblestones and Cyprus trees? Me eitherCoffee in the middle of nowhereOur home for the night

    Camino Day 5 - Calzadilla de laCueza

    29 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Another group dinner last night with old friends and new ones. The food was ok but the company was fantastic. Three courses, plus wine for 14 euro.
    We had prebooked tonight's accommodation along with all our new friends as it was Aussie Anna's (who lives in Barcelona) birthday today, and we wanted to celebrate together.
    So we left a little later, 7:30 ish, and headed for Carrion de los Condes for breakfast. The 4 km walk there was extremely painful, to the point I was considering a bus. At the stop, I performed some required surgery, along with some great pain killers and felt fine to continue.
    5 km's down the road we started walking on an old Roman road that was 2000 years old. Could not see any resemblance to Romans whatsoever. This road was 11.5 km long and felt it would go on forever. Straight, flat, no trees, just small gravel that found its way into my shoes.
    This was a tough day.
    Hollie had a tough day as well, in tears for about 2 hours, not from the walk, but we think a "Camino cleanse". All good now.
    We finally made it to our albergue, WHICH HAD A POOL!!
    So about 10 of us made here for tonight to celebrate, eat and drink too Anna's birthday.
    Regardless of how much crap you go through each day, at the end, you are still grateful for the experience and the people around you.
    We have now completed 111kms.
    Not bad, not at all.
    Bring on tomorrow.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
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    Camino Day 6 - Sahagun

    29 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Another 23kms today which brings our total to 135kms. A great walk today with towns almost every 3-4 km's which really broke up the day nicely.
    Stopped in one for 2nd breakfast, another for a juice, another for lunch.
    The scenery is still magical with open plains as far as you can see. The temperature was ok with mid 20's.
    Our bed for the night is in a monestary run by VERY religious Marist brothers who seperate men from women sleeping in the same room. But a lovely place and the best shower yet on the Camino.
    Feet are still sore. Tried to wear my shoes for about 5k's today but that was not a good idea. Back into my Teva's with toe socks. Stunning look.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Inside the monestary
    Day four with the Teva's and toe socksOutside the monestaryNice shade on our path todayA church in the middle of nowhereDrinks with the Camino family. Farewell to a coupleNon Spanish lunchA bit of an upgrade tonight

    Camino Day 7 - El Burgo Ranero

    31 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Left the Monastery a little later and made it easy to our 1st stop.
    A bit difficult getting accommodation for tonight saw us booking a private room, at triple the cost of an albergue, and Helen and Rod taking an alternative route and booking a room in a different town.
    These things happen on the Camino.
    The path was really nice today with trees lining almost all of it right up to our finish town.
    Had to farewell our Brazilian couple today who needed to walk on to meet their deadlines, so that was sad. We will probably say goodbye to the rest tomorrow as we head into Leon in a couple of days and spend a few rest days there.
    A bit sad.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Best salad yet
    Lots of adobe styled buildingsLove a vending machine with beerStarting to see more stands of trees!!!

    Camino Day 8 - Reliegos

    31 de agosto de 2023, España ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Short day today with only 14 km's.
    Problem with accommodation has forced us to stop early. The town ahead has two albergues but one is closed today and the other hasn't reopened after COVID. This will also lead us to walk to the next town and then take a bus to Leon.
    Yes, this is not the planned way but no accommodation and injury has forced us to do it. We have now planned a three day stopover in Leon to fully recover before we start the hills of Galacia.
    We are all fine from the knees up but the lower levels have taken a pounding, more than any other walk.
    Lots more pilgrims are now on the trail so it's getting busy at each town.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Luxury I say, luxury
    Found a space to get our names inThis guy was nutsGot back into the boots today!Same photo I took 7 years ago

    Camino Day 9 - Leon

    2 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Had a fun night at Bar Elvis with shots all round and 50's music playing loud. An iconic stop on the Camino trail. Even managed to find a spot and Hollie added our names to the endless writing.
    Set off for Leon this morning with a short 6km walk then a bus to finish. That is if I booked the tickets for the right date and not in a month's time. So a taxi to Leon it was as there were no buses running.
    I actually walked into Leon almost the same path I did 6 years ago, straight to the Cathedral.
    We had a walk around, went to the markets, had a beer and some lunch, walked around some more, had another beer, and waited for our apartment guy to turn up.
    Leon is an amazing city and we have 3 nights here to explore and recuperate.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Our home for a couple is days
    1Our Camino familyLots of festivals going on right now

    Camino Day 10 - Leon (rest day 1)

    2 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    A rest day on Leon today with us all doing our own thing. An amazing city.
    Hollie and I spent the morning at the physiotherapist getting sorted for the next 300kms, and Javier (physio guy) was amazing. I spent the rest of the day with my feet elevated laying on the lounge. My blisters are now almost fully healed and with Javier's help, my legs and back are in good shape.
    Caught up with the Camino family in the afternoon for drinks and later for dinner. It was a fun but sad evening as we were saying goodbye to a really dear friend Anna, who was heading home to Barcelona.
    The four of us went for a walk through the city and picked up crepes for dessert before heading back to our apartment.
    Another day in Leon tomorrow to fully prepare for the next stage of our adventure.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
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    Camino Day 11 - Leon (rest day 2)

    4 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a night of heavy rain we only had a couple of showers today.
    We took the "tourist train" ride through the city and then wandered around doing a bit of Camino shopping, basically replacing items we needed for the trail.
    Lunch in a very Spanish bar which we also went back to for dinner as the food, locality and atmosphere was so good.
    We are all keen to get back on the trail tomorrow, but not quite as keen on the 26kms planned for the day.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    1200kms done - 300 to go!Very boring partDaily routine

    Camino Day 12 - San Martin del Camino

    5 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Left Leon reluctantly at 7am for a long boring trail along busy highways and through industrial areas.
    26kms later we end up at our home for the night. Cold beer, cold bucket of water, and a hot shower, is all you need to finish the day. Dinner is on from 6:30pm so an early dinner and then early to bed.
    Another 24kms tomorrow, so an early start.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Early morning start
    Love this townA famous stop on the Camino1Just have to follow the arrowsAn oasis in the distanceComing in to AstorgaOur bed for the night

    Camino Day 13 - Astorga

    6 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    An early start this morning with another big day in which we covered another 28 km's.
    Out before 6am have us a good couple of hours before the sun comes up fully and most of that was walking beside a busy road.
    The scenery has changed and now we are walking through forr forrest and farmland with small villages breaking up the path it was a long hot day with a few tasty hills thrown in to test us, but we arrived in beautiful Astorga by 1pm.
    We had no booking for tonight so we were aiming for the local albergue at 7 euros per bed. Very nice old 3 story building.
    Clothes washed and all of us showered we wandered off in search of food and drink.
    Then back for a rest before heading out for dinner then another early night.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Early start out of Astorga
    Getting up into the hills todayHALF WAY!!!Our home for tonightView from our albergue

    Camino Day 14 - Rabanal del Camino

    7 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    So we left the beautiful city of Astorga around 7:30 am, well just the albergue, and walked about 100m to get breakfast.
    Then meandered out of the city past the cathedral, and into the countryside.
    A lot of little small villages along the way to stop and rest and get a drink.
    The temperature was in the mid 20's and all uphill.
    We arrived in our final town about 1pm and had to walk another big hill to find out albergue. It's a donativo (donation) run by the London based Confraternity of St James, with 3 monks still in residence.
    The welcome was warm and personal, the beds are comfortable and the showers clean and hot.
    Just finished our Pilgrim Meal at the pub about 50 metres up the road. 13.50 euro for 3 courses with a bottle of wine and bread.
    Another early night as we are heading into the mountains tomorrow so a bit of a climb ahead.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Not sure what this look is???
    Very misty in the mountainsOur first view of Acebo

    Camino Day 15 - Acebo

    8 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    We left around 8am for a climb into the hills.
    It started out pretty ok, but soon turned into a bit of a hard slog uphill on rough terrain.
    Stopped in for a great breakfast an hour in.
    The scenery was a dramatic change from the last week's with Alpine hills and valleys.
    The track was quite rough and rocky, but considering there have been millions of people walking this track for hundreds of years it's not hard to see why it's the way it is.
    The main stop on this section is Cruz de Fero, where pilgrims leave a stone from their home country to signify leaving behind something they want to leave behind on the Camino.
    It was supposed to be a 16km day but turned into a 21km day once we arrived at our luxury albergue with a pool bar and restaurant, and still only 15 euros.
    They have agreed to switch the tv to the rugby tonight so we can catch the first game of the world cup, all blacks v France.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
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    Camino Day 16 - Ponferrada

    9 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    So a bit of a tough day with more steep downhill tracks. The scenery was amazing, again, with views forever.
    Small mountain villages broke up the trail before we walked into a major city, Ponferrada.
    The Templar castle was worth a visit and the town was in the middle of a week long celebration. We ended up at a traditional Italian (I know, we're in Spain) resistant and enjoyed some amazing food.
    We wandered around the city enjoying the festival and was a bit late to bed.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    300 down, 200 to go!

    Camino Day 17 - Villafranca del Bierzo

    10 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Left Ponferrada and started winding our way through this wine region. Fairly easy walking with only a couple of hills, but all through green vineyards and forests.
    Today we took our time and stopped often, even having a long lunch on the way with a glass of wine.
    Our booked albergue had a sign on the front door saying they had a death in the family so they were closed for a few days. That left us scanning for alternate lodgings which ended up being in a private room on the edge of town. All good.    Leer más

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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 18 - Ruitelan

    11 de septiembre de 2023, España ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Not a great night for me unfortunately, as I was quite ill with a stomach bug. Not pleasant.
    We set off in the morning with a varied route through a tunnel that took us back to the main path.
    Today was a steady climb up into the mountains, with beautiful forests and super cute little villages.
    We had booked an old favourite albergue of mine from my last trip through here.
    The two old guys who run it don't advertise and take people in if you know about it through staying before or word of mouth. They cook a full dinner and breakfast, along with a wake up tune, Ava Maria, which is your clue to go down for breakfast. Very basic facilities but their hospitality is unbeatable.
    Was a hard slog today for me with very little energy, and a fever. Went straight to bed when we arrived. A big day tomorrow as we tackle the main mountain, straight up, all day.    Leer más

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